Artificial limb.



J. F. ROWLEY.

- ARTIFICIAL LIMB.

APPLICATION FILED N0v.20. m2.

1 1 8 3 ,036. Patented May 16, 1916.

JAMES F. ROWLEY, .OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ARTIFICIAL LIMB.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 16, 1916.

Application filed November 20, 1912 Serial N 0. 732,458.,

To all whom it may concern Beit known that I, JAMES F. ROWLEY, a citizenof the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook andState of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inArtificial Limbs, of which the following is a description.

My invention belongs to that general class of devices known asartificial limbs, and relates particularly to an improved artificialfoot.

The invention has among its objects the production of a device of thekind described that is simple, exceedingly comfortable, noiseless,durable, efiicient and satisfactory.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangementand combination of parts herein shown and described, and moreparticularly pointed out in the claims. I

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like orcorresponding parts, Figure 1 is a partial sectional view through thefoot and ankle. Fig. 2 is a top elevationpf the foot part with the anklepart 2 removed. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view through the hingetaken substantially on line 3, 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a perspective viewof the elastic heel parts.

Referring to the drawings, in which the preferred form of my device isshown, 1 represents a foot piece and 2 an anklepiece, the parts being ofsuitable shapes and sizes and hinged together so as to formsubstantially an ankle joint. As most clearly shown in Fig. 1, the footpart 1 is preferably out down or formed as at 3 back of the instep, andthe ankle piece positioned thereat. Any suitable hinge may be employedfor securing the foot and ankle pieces together, that shown being verysatisfactory for the purpose.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 3, the hinge consists of a bolt orrod 1 which extends through the ankle piece, and is provided with abarrel or tubular end 5. The barrel 5 is preferably provided with theridges or beads 6, 6, and with an opening 7 through the side oppositethe bolt. The foot and ankle piece are suitably grooved or formed toreceive the hinge parts. Arranged within the barrel 5 is a member 8,having a bolt 9 secured thereto, the bolt extending through the opening7. Nuts 10 and 11, or their equivalents, on the bolts 9 and 4respectively, lock and secure the two parts together. I have notillustrated any form of nut lock, it being understood that anysultablemeans may be employed for locking the nuts and preventing their workingloose. I also'provide a bearing 12 of leather, or other suitablematerial, between the barrel 5 and the foot piece, and also a pad 14 ofleather, or equivalent material, upon which the lower forward side ofthe ankle piece may strike or rest in walking.

At the rear of the foot piece, or that is at the heel, is an opening 15,the lower part 17 of which is'made substantially cylindrical at thebottom, a shoulder 18 being formed between the sides of the. opening 15and the opening 17. Upon the ankle piece is a tongue or extending part16, which is suitably formed so as to enter into the opening l 5.Extendingfrom the bottom of the heel is an elastic core 19, preferablyof rubher, which is carried and confined by a part 20, also of rubber orequivalent material, the part 20. is provided with an enlarged end 21,and formed with a shoulder 23 which seats against the bottom of the footpiece, and may be securedto the foot piece by providing the same withthreads 22, or the equivalent; The elastic heel part forms substantiallya shock absorber consisting of the elastic cup-shaped heel piece 20having an elastic core 19 snugly fitting in the cup, the enlarged end 21preventing the cup member from beingforced into the opening beyond thedesired point.

Both the heel parts 19 and 20 are preferably constructed of rubber, aspreviously mentioned, but of rubber having diiferent co-eflicients ofelasticity. The inner one 19 is preferably more elastic, or of asomewhat spongy rubber, and the other more stifl, or of harder rubber.The extension or tongue 16 normally rests upon and is carried by theheel part 19, except when the forward end of the ankle part isrestingupon the pad 14:. Each time a step is taken the tongue 16 is supportedby the part 19, thereby resiliently' supporting the person. With a heelof this character there is none of the noise or thumping, indicating anartificial limb, and the step is more elastic and more nearly natural.In case of sudden or heavy jars, the inner heel part 19 may be compressed enough lengthwise so as to expand transversely and slightlyreadily compress the outer part 20. The part 19, however, being confinedby the outer part 20, it is al ways maintained in the proper position,and cannot bend over or buckle. If either part wears out, it may bereplaced without time or labor, since the same is always exposed forremoval, and tacks or the like are not employed in securing the elasticheel in place. I have not shown the toe part 24 in detail, it beingunderstood that any form of toe may be employed, preferably elastic orresilient.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that variousimmaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing fromthe spirit of my invention, hence I do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement orcombination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In anartificial limb, an ankle piece and a foot piece hinged thereto, saidfoot piece provided with a rubber heel, comprising a plurality of partshaving relatively different co-eflicients of elasticity.

2. In an artificial limb, the combination of an ankle piece, a footpiece hinged thereto, said foot piece provided with an openingtherethrough at the heel, said ankle piece provided with a tongueextending into said heel opening, and an elastic heel part arranged insaid opening and cooperating with said tongue.

3. In an artificial limb, the combination of an ankle piece, a footpiece hinged thereto, said foot piece provided with a vertical openingtherethrough at the heel, said ankle piece provided with a tongueextending into said heel opening, and an elastic heel part detachablypositioned in said opening and cooperating with said tongue.

4. In an artificial limb, the combination of an ankle piece, a footpiece hinged thereto, said foot piece provided with an openingtherethrough at the heel, said ankle piece provided with an extensionprojecting into said heel opening, an elastic heel part positioned insaid opening and arranged to co operate with said extension, and meansfor yieldingly containing said elastic heel part.

5. In an artificial limb, the combination of an ankle piece, a footpiece hinged thereto, said foot piece provided with an openingtherethrough at the heel, said ankle piece provided with an extensionprojecting into said heel opening, an elastic heel part positioned insaid opening and arranged to cooperate with said extension, and anelastic cup-shaped container for said heel part.

6. In an artificial limb, the combination of an ankle piece, a footpiece suitably secured thereto provided with a vertically extendingopening therethrough at the rear cured thereto provided with avertically ex-- tending opening therethrough at the rear end, said anklepiece Provided with an extending part projecting into said opening atthe upper side thereof, and an elastic heel comprising a plurality ofelastic cooperating parts, one part extending into said foot openingfrom the under side thereof, and

substantially tightly fitting the walls of the opening, said part havinga recess therein and a cooperating elastic part of a relativelydifferent coefficient of elasticity arranged in said recess.

8. An artificial limb comprising the combination of an ankle piece, witha foot piece hinged thereto, said foot piece being constructed. with avertical opening therethrough at the heel, a resilient cup-shaped heelpiece positioned in said opening, a core of a different co-etficient ofelasticity than said cup piece and constructed to snugly fit in saidcup, and an extension carried by the ankle piece extending into saidopenin and arranged to contact with one or both 0 said resilient parts.

9. In an artificial limb, the combination of an angle piece, a footpiece hinged thereto having an opening therethrough at the heel, a shockabsorber comprising rubber members of different co-efficients ofresiliency arranged at the underside of the foot piece in said opening,said ankle provided with an extension on its under side projecting intosaid opening and cooperating with said shock absorber.

10. A heel pad or shock absorber for artificial limbs, comprising twocooperating rubber members of different co-efficients of resiliency, onearranged within the other and substantially confined therein throughoutits length.

11. In a device of the kind described and in combination, an anklepiece, a foot piece, means for pivotally securing said pieces together,comprising a bolt provided with a transversely extending tubular endhaving an opening at one side, a bolt extending through said opening andprovided with a transversely extending part arranged within said tubularmember, and means for securing said bolts to said ankle and foot pieces,said foot piece being constructed with a vertical opening therethroughat the heel, a rubber cup-shaped heel .piece posi- In testimony whereof,I have hereunto tioned in said opening, a core of rubber masigned myname in the presence of two subterial constructed to fit snugly in saidcup, scribing witnesses.

said core being of greater elasticity than JAMES F. ROWLEY. said cuppiece and a part carried by the Witnesses:

ankle piece extending into said opening and ROY W. HILL,

contacting with said core. CHARLES I. COBB.

copies of thin potent my be obtelned (or five cents each, by addreuingthe "Commissioner 0! Patents, Washington, D. c.

